Dianthus plant named &#39;valda louise&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Dianthus named ‘Valda Louise’ that is characterized by double, carmine-pink flowers, a compact habit and gray-green foliage. In combination these traits set ‘Valda Louise’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application for this new invention is co-pending with three other applications entitled ‘Valda Kitty’, ‘Valda Isolde’ and ‘Valda Judith’. All are derived from the same breeding program, having the same inventor and filing date as the present application entitled Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Carnation that is grown for its carmine pink flowers. The new cultivar is known botanically as Dianthus L. hybrid and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Valda Louise’.

[0003] ‘Valda Louise’ is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Dawlish, Devon, England. The primary focus of the breeding program was to produce and select a variety of flower color mutations from the parent plant ‘Valda Wyatt’ (unpatented). By repeated propagation and testing ‘Valda Louise’ was stabilized as a new form. ‘Valda Louise’ was selected in 1966 by the inventor as a sport of Dianthus ‘Valda Wyatt’ a complex hybrid produced by crossing unidentified Dianthus parents. ‘Valda Louise’ is a hardy perennial grown for its use as a container and landscape plant.

[0004] ‘Valda Louise’ was selected for its double, carmine pink flowers and is characterized by gray-green foliage, compact habit, profuse flowering, free flowering, long flowering and vigorous growth. It is distinguishable from the parent plant ‘Valda Wyatt’ by flower color. In comparison, the plants most similar to ‘Valda Louise’ are the co-pending varieties ‘Valsa Isolde’, ‘Valda Kitty’ and ‘Valda Judith’. ‘Valda Louise’ differs from the co-pending varieties in flower color.

[0005] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by the inventor who took cuttings in a cultivated area of Dawlish, Devon, England in 1966. Since that time the characteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new cultivar. These traits in combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor. ‘Valda Louise’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions.

[0007] 1. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ reaches approximately 46 cm. in height and 38 cm. in width at 12 months.

[0008] 2. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ exhibits double, carmine pink double flowers.

[0009] 3. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ exhibits a compact plant habit.

[0010] 4. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ exhibits dense gray-green foliage.

[0011] 5. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ is long flowering, blooming from May to October.

[0012] 6. Dianthus ‘Valda Louise’ is hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate the distinguishing traits of the new cultivar. The drawing on sheet 1 is a color copy of an original photograph showing a close-up view of ‘Valda Louise’ and illustrating the flower color, foliage color, buds, and dense, compact foliage. The drawing on sheet 2 is the color copy of an original photograph illustrating the carmine pink flower of ‘Valda Louise’ in comparison to the flower color of the three co-pending varieties. All drawings were made in July of plants grown in 4-inch containers out-of-doors in Encinitas, Calif. All photographs and copies were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography and copying.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0014] The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar as grown in a 4-inch container out-of-doors in Arroyo Grande, Calif. The color determinations are in accordance with the RHS Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0015] Botanical classification: Dianthus L. hybrid ‘Valda Louise’.

[0016] Commercial classification: Hardy perennial.

[0017] Common name: Carnation.

[0018] Use: Container and landscape plant.

[0019] Parentage: ‘Valda Louise’ is a sport of Dianthus ‘Valda Wyatt’ (not patented).

[0020] Plant description:

[0021]Bloom period.—May to October.

[0022]Plant habit.—Compact and clump forming.

[0023]Height.—46 cm. in height.

[0024]Width.—38 cm. in width.

[0025]Hardiness.—Hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.

[0026]Type.—Perennial herb.

[0027]Root system.—Fibrous.

[0028]Propagation.—Propagation is done by cuttings.

[0029]Cultural requirements.—Plant in full sun, well-drained and moderately fertile soil.

[0030]Diseases and pests.—Susceptible to known Dianthus pests and disease but no other susceptibilities are known to the inventor.

[0031]Time to develop roots.—2 weeks is required to develop roots on an initial cutting.

[0032]Temperature to produce rooting.—15° Centigrade air temperature and 21° Centigrade base heat is required to produce rooted cuttings.

[0033]Crop time.—5-7 months are required to produce a finished one-gallon container from a rooted cutting.

[0034] Stem:

[0035]Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0036]Stem dimensions.—28 cm. in length and 0.75 cm. in length.

[0037]Stem surface.—Glabrous and glaucous.

[0038]Stem color.—189A.

[0039]Branching.—Numerous basal breaks.

[0040]Internode length.—5 cm. between nodes.

[0041]Node color.—160D.

[0042]Node dimensions.—0.50 cm. in diameter and 0.50 cm. in length.

[0043] Foliage:

[0044]Type.—Evergreen.

[0045]Shape.—Lanceolate.

[0046]Division.—Simple.

[0047]Apex.—Acute.

[0048]Base.—Decurrent.

[0049]Venation.—Not Prominent.

[0050]Margins.—Entire.

[0051]Arrangement.—Opposite and spiraling up stem.

[0052]Attachment.—Sheathing.

[0053]Surface (adaxial and abaxial).—Glaucous.

[0054]Leaf dimensions.—7.5 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in width.

[0055]Leaf color (adaxial and abaxial).—189A.

[0056]Fragrance.—Absent.

[0057] Flowers:

[0058]Type.—Salviform, double and symmetrical.

[0059]Flower dimensions.—5 cm. in height and 5 cm. in diameter including calyx.

[0060]Throat depth.—2 cm.

[0061]Fragrance.—Subtle clove scent.

[0062]Bud dimensions.—3.25 cm. in length and 1.25 cm. in width.

[0063]Bud shape.—Ovate.

[0064]Bud color.—58 B.

[0065]Flower color.—58 C.

[0066]Petals.—Persistent, 10-14 double petals, apopetalous, overlapping and synpetalous.

[0067]Petal margin.—Crenate.

[0068]Petal surface.—Glabrous.

[0069]Calyx dimensions.—3 cm. in length and 1 cm. in width.

[0070]Calyx color.—189B.

[0071]Sepals.—Five.

[0072]Sepals fused or unfused.—Fused.

[0073]Sepal dimensions.—3 cm. in length and 0.50 cm. in width.

[0074]Epicalyx.—189B.

[0075]Epicalyx dimensions.—1 cm. in length and 1 cm. in width.

[0076]Peduncle dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 3 mm. in diameter.

[0077]Peduncle color.—189A.

[0078] Reproductive organs:

[0079]Stamens.—Ten, 2 whorls, stamens of outer whorl are shorter, apostemonous, distinct, stamens develop after pistil development, self compatible, exserted 3 mm. above corolla.

[0080]Stamen color.—155A.

[0081]Stamen dimensions.—2.5 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0082]Anther color.—155A.

[0083]Anther shape.—Oblong.

[0084]Anther attachment.—Dorsifixed.

[0085]Anther dimensions.—Less than 0.50 mm. in width and less than 0.50 mm. in length.

[0086]Pistil.—One in number.

[0087]Pistil dimensions.—3.5 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0088]Pistil color.—155A.

[0089]Stigma.—Two.

[0090]Stigma color.—155A.

[0091]Style color.—155A.

[0092]Style dimensions.—1 cm. in length, 1 mm. in diameter and protruding 1.0-1.2 cm. above petals.

[0093]Ovary position.—Superior.

[0094]Ovary color.—Lower half is 155 A and upper half is 139 D.

[0095]Ovary shape.—Oval to round.

[0096]Ovary dimensions.—7 mm. in height and 6 mm. in diameter.

[0097] Seed production: No seed production has been observed. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of dianthus plant named ‘Valda Louise’ as described and illustrated herein. 